Novak Djokovic has played the very best in men’s tennis over the years, winning over 1,000 singles matches.
The Serbian legend enjoyed rivalries with some of the ATP Tour’s greatest-ever players on his way to a record-24 Grand Slam titles.
20 times, Djokovic has played either Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, or Andy Murray in a Grand Slam final, coming out victorious on 13 occasions.
However, during that period, Djokovic came unstuck against another of his biggest rivals in their two Major finals.
Speaking ahead of this year’s Madrid Open, Djokovic has heaped praise on the three-time Major champion, whom he considers to be ‘very underestimated’.
Novak Djokovic says Stan Wawrinka is an ‘incredible player’ and considers him to be ‘very underestimated’
During his pre-tournament press conference, Djokovic was asked for his thoughts on three-time Grand Slam champion, Stan Wawrinka.
“He is an incredible player. Someone I really admire as a person as well,” said Djokovic.
“I think he is very underestimated in the discussions.
“He has won a Gold medal at the Olympics, three Grand Slams. He has had an amazing career.”
Stan Wawrinka’s career achievements
- Career high ranking – 3rd
- Grand Slams – 3 (2014 Australian Open, 2015 French Open, 2016 US Open)
- Olympic medals – (Gold in doubles, 2008)
- Davis Cup – Winner (2014)
- Masters 1000s – 1 (2014 Monte-Carlo Masters)
- ATP titles – 16
The Serbian was particularly impressed with the Swiss star’s longevity, as he continues to compete on the ATP Tour at the age of 40.
“He is 40 years old with God knows how many surgeries on the knees, and he is still pushing and still coming in early in the tournaments, one of the first people who show up in the club and practices early and does everything he needs to do,” said Djokovic.
“That is super impressive. I really admire him and envy him for that.
“Going to the Challenger level and trying to build your rankings and get matches. I have never done that, never been in that position that I have to, and hopefully don’t need to build rankings again and need to go to Challenger level, but I really admire that.
“It says a lot about champion spirit and mentality that these guys have.”
The world number 158 has won just one ATP Tour main draw match in 2025, but reached the quarterfinals of a Challenger Tour event in Napoli last month.
Wawrinka is scheduled to return to action at the Challenger level for the tournament in Francavilla, Italy, on May 5.
Novak Djokovic says Stan Wawrinka ‘stole’ the 2015 French Open title from him
Appearing in his second Career Grand Slam final, Wawrinka beat Djokovic to win the French Open title ten years ago.
The 37-year-old now reflects upon the defeat that saw him miss out on the one Major title that then eluded him.
“On the big stage, yeah, of course – that was one of the toughest losses for me,” said Djokovic.
“By that time, I still had not won Roland Garros, and that was I don’t know which final for me already [3rd].
“I thought I am not playing Rafa [Nadal] for a change in the final and I liked my chances to win my first French Open title but then Stan [Wawrinka] stole it from me, and he played some incredible tennis.”
Djokovic said that he and Wawrinka still joke about the aftermath of the final to this day.
“We still joke around and I tell him that the reason why he played so well was because of the shorts,” he said.
“I don’t know how many of you remember those famous shorts he was wearing, and he came up to the post-finals press conference with those shorts, and I really hated him since then.”
Djokovic then lost another Major final to Wawrinka at the US Open in 2016, as the Swiss continued to find success at the Grand Slams.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2023 Wimbledon – 3R | Novak Djokovic | Stan Wawrinka | 6-3, 6-1, 7-5 |
| 2019 US Open – 4R | Stan Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 7-5, 2-1 (RET) |
| 2016 US Open – F | Stan Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2015 French Open – F | Stan Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2015 Australian Open – SF | Novak Djokovic | Stan Wawrinka | 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 |
| 2014 Australian Open – QF | Stan Wawrinka | Novak Djokovic | 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, 3-6, 9-7 |
| 2013 US Open – SF | Novak Djokovic | Stan Wawrinka | 2-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2013 Australian Open – 4R | Novak Djokovic | Stan Wawrinka | 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7, 12-10 |
| 2012 US Open – 4R | Novak Djokovic | Stan Wawrinka | 6-4, 6-1, 3-1 (RET) |
At Major tournaments, Wawrinka has won 44% of his matches against Djokovic (4-9), whereas throughout the remainder of the ATP Tour, the 40-year-old has won just 11% (2-16).
Always one to step up for the big occasion, it’ll certainly be interesting to see what would happen if the pair faced off at any of the three remaining Grand Slams in 2025.
The 2025 French Open is set to begin on Sunday, May 25.
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